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January 13, 2026 — Current in North Indy

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Tuesday, January 13, 2026 youarecurrent.com

Classical Academy students support food pantry Page 2

Activate offers interactive gaming Page 3

Local youth compete in adaptive basketball

VISION ZERO Action plan adopted to eliminate Indy traffic fatalities Page 6

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500 Festival announces 2026 theme Page 5

Local actor plays mean girl Page 10

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CURRENT IN NORTH INDY 01.13.26 • youarecurrent.com

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Local students support area food pantry By Samantha Kupiainen news@youarecurrent.com

For the third consecutive year, The Classical Academy on the border of Fishers and Indianapolis conducted a canned food drive to support White River Christian Church Food Pantry in Noblesville — collecting more than 15,000 items. The food drive takes place each December, with different “houses” competing to see who can collect the most. The Classical Academy’s house system assigns students to one of four houses when they’re in seventh grade — similar to the house system in the “Harry Potter” books. House names are Alexandria, Antioch, Philippi and Whitby, drawing inspiration from historic cities. “It gives them a place to belong, and you build school spirit and culture, and they compete for a House Cup every year. One of the things we do throughout the year is a canned food drive competition, which goes toward points for the House Cup,” said Nathanael Jenkins, assistant dean of the upper school at The Classical Academy. “It’s also part of why we do houses, which is living

Students and volunteers pack donations for White River Christian Church Food Pantry. (Photo courtesy of Nathanael Jenkins)

unto something greater than yourself. That’s part of the mission of The Classical Academy.” The first two years of the canned food drive, the school collected about 3,000 items and the competition was only for upper school students. This year, for the first time, the school included the lower school in the canned food drive competition. Combined with increased donations from the upper school, the House Canned Food Drive brought in more than 15,000 items this year. “Not only has adding the lower school increased our numbers, but the upper school has also doubled their giv-

ing,” Jenkins said. “It was really great to see. Our whole school got excited and involved in this act of charity.” Because of students’ excitement, Jenkins extended the canned food drive by a week. At the conclusion of the two-anda-half-week canned food drive, sixth-graders won the lower school division with nearly 1,800 items donated, and Philippi won the upper school division with more than 3,000 items. Jenkins said he hopes to teach students that it’s better to give than to receive. “I hope they can participate in the joy of giving as a Christian school,” he said. “I think our kids felt that excitement this year — we would have a bi-weekly chapel service and we would give an update on where all the giving was and when everyone would see their classes totals up on the board. There was cheering and excitement and when I decided to extend the canned food drive, the kids broke into a spontaneous round of applause.” The Classical Academy, 6049 E. 91st St., Indianapolis, serves students in pre-K through 12th grade. For more, visit the-classical-academy.com.

Eskenazi launches maternal health programs northindy@youarecurrent.com

Eskenazi Health recently announced two new initiatives to enhance maternal health, the result of a yearlong effort to assess health barriers in several central Indiana neighborhoods. According to a news release, several barriers to health were identified through that process. “With Indiana scoring low in maternal health outcomes, and Black maternal mortality rates increasing, outreach is vital for these communities,” stated Kimberly McElroy-Jones, chief culture officer at Health & Hospital Corp. of Marion County. “Our goal is to turn these numbers around while educating and supporting our neighbors.” According to a 2023 study by the Indiana Department of Health and Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana ranked the third worst in maternal mortality in the nation. The first program under development is an initiative to provide a continuum of maternal health services for those living in a zone near the Eskenazi

The Eskenazi Health Thomas & Arlene Grande Campus at 38th Street and Arlington Avenue. (Photo courtesy of Eskenazi)

Health Thomas & Arlene Grande Campus at 38th Street and Arlington Avenue. The NEST initiative — Navigating Every Step Together — works to bridge gaps that often result in poor maternal and infant health outcomes. The news release stated that participants will be connected with prenatal care navigation to help them access medical, emotional and social support needed for a healthy pregnancy. Partners will include the City of Indianapolis, Divine Transitions, Cradle Indy,

United Northeast Community Development Corporation and InTouch Outreach, with funding support from the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation. The second program focuses on transportation issues facing far eastside residents in the East 38th Street and Post Road area. The program is called Mothers Get a Lyft, with participants receiving support from pregnancy confirmation through postpartum recovery and infant wellness. Expectant mothers enrolled in the program will be matched with a community health worker who will help coordinate care, schedule appointments, provide health education and support the individual’s goals and preferences. Services include offering Lyft rideshares to health care appointments and using the established Indy Hunger Network program to provide inexpensive Lyft rides to SNAP-eligible grocery stores. The two programs will be launched in the coming months. For more, visit eskenazihealth.edu/programs/ social-determinants-of-health.


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A new business on 96th Street in Fishers offers an active indoor gaming experience for groups and individuals. Activate Indianapolis, 8600 E. 96th St. in Fishers, off I-69 on the border with north Indianapolis, celebrated its grand opening Dec. 13 and is the “world’s first interactive gaming facility,” General Manager Aubaine Rutland said. The business has 12 “microarenas,” each featuring a different genre of game. Each arena has up to eight different games within that genre, she said, and each game has up to 10 levels. “There are over 100 things to do inside our hub — that’s what we call the area where all our games are located,” Rutland said. I think ‘Activate’ is the best name for it, because you are activating your mind and your body while you’re playing. There are some more logistical games, as well as some games that get your blood pumping. It’s great for groups. Great for families.” She said it’s also ideal for team building, improving communication and simply having fun. “I haven’t seen anybody come out of a room, even if they lose, with a frown on their face,” she said. “Everybody has been raving about how much fun it is and wanting to come back.” Rutland said the business has been well received so far and is a fun, active indoor experience for people any time, but particularly when the weather isn’t cooperative. Activate Indianapolis can host groups for birthdays and other celebrations, she said, adding that a lounge area can be used for serving cake when everyone is done playing games. For more, visit playactivate.com/ fishers.

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Local youth compete in adaptive basketball By Marney Simon news@youarecurrent.com

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The basketball courts at Pro Net Sports in Fishers are always full on weekends. But Dec. 13-14, the sounds of dribbling and buzzer beaters were accompanied by the whirl of wheels, as young athletes with RHI Racers adaptive basketball program hosted the 2025 Hoosier Hoops Classic wheelchair basketball tournament. RHI Racers varsity and junior teams each took home the gold at the end of the two-day tournament, toppling teams from Missouri, Ohio and Michigan. RHI Racers are part of the adaptive sports program through the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana. Based in Indianapolis, the adaptive sports program provides opportunities for individuals with physical disabilities in central Indiana to participate in adaptive sports and recreation, including basketball, golf, lacrosse, tennis, hockey, baseball, soccer, waterskiing and more. “We have a clinic once a year in the summertime that RHI will put on,” junior team coach Ed Landreph said. “We go to different clinics (and) we get the word out. We’ve only got one (adaptive basketball) team in Indiana. There are definitely more kids out there that are in wheelchairs that could definitely learn how to play.” Landreph and his wife, Kristen, have two children in the league. The family travels from Muncie each Saturday for practice and said adaptable sports like wheelchair basketball are similar to travel sports — it’s about commitment, time and a lot of travel. “It’s the game of basketball. The only thing is they’re not walking. They’re still dribbling. They’re still shooting the ball. They’re still passing,” Ed Landreph said. “They’re still playing with their friends and it’s no different than regular basketball.” That includes the same kind of aggressive play that is normal among Hoosiers when it comes to basketball. “You flip over a lot,” said player Jonathin Perez, 12, of Indianapolis. Now in his sixth year with RHI Racers, Perez said he likes the relationships he’s made along the way and said it’s one of his favorite parts of the league.

Members of the RHI Racers junior team take on Cincinnati Dec. 14 in Fishers. (Photo by Marney Simon)

“It’s to meet new friends on the other teams and just build better relationships with them,” he said. Teammate Easton Gaynor, 13, of Zionsville echoed the sentiment. “I like meeting new people,” he said. “Every Saturday we have a two-hour practice, but after practice I don’t work too hard.” Gaynor, who has spina bifida, is in his third year in the league. Elon Taylor, 13, of Bloomington said the league provides access to his favorite pastime in a competitive way. “I like that it takes my disability in a sport that I love and combines it into one,” he said. “I like the speed. I don’t train as much as I want to, but I’ll get some shots in like 20 minutes every day maybe.” Although the game is played in a wheelchair, not all the participants are full-time wheelchair users. All children in the league have a lower-extremity disability ranging from limb loss to spina bifida. “It’s all about being active and being involved, just like your peers,” Kristen Landreph said. “Because individuals may have a disability, but that doesn’t stop them from doing what everyone else does. You just kind of have to think outside of the box and then look to see what’s available and you have to find what’s right for your family, what’s right for your child. You may try out basketball and say, ‘This isn’t right for me.’ But you may try out tennis and say, ‘Oh my gosh, this is my thing.’ It’s not having kids mold into one particular Continued on Page 5


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500 Festival theme: ‘Racing Through History’ By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com “Racing Through History” seemed to be the perfect 500 Festival theme for 2026 as two milestone events are set. This will be the 50th running of the IU Health 500 Festival Mini-Marathon May 2 and the 70th 500 Festival Parade May 23. The Indianapolis 500 is May 24. “We want to honor the legacy that’s behind our milestone events and celebrate the traditions that have gone into both of those as well as the community that’s participated,” said Lindsay Labas, senior vice president of marketing and communications for the 500 Festival. The theme was announced Jan. 6. “We’ll start to tie that into all of the promotions that we do related to all of our programs and events that take place during the month of May,” Labas said. The 500 Festival Parade float will feature graphics that depict the theme.

“The float always changes what it looks like based on the theme for the year,” Labas said. The theme also celebrates initiatives like the Princess Program, Education Program and KidsFit Program. Labas said the 500 Festival’s story is built on decades of community, collaboration and shared experiences. “As we celebrate how far we’ve come and those who paved the way, we invite the community to be part of this historic year by participating in our events, creating new memories, and continuing the story of the 500 Festival together,” Labas stated. 500 Festival volunteer registration started Jan. 7 at 500festival.com/volunteer. Labas said all programs and events can be found at 500festival.com.

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thing — it’s just about trying and experiencing and finding out what you like and what you don’t like.” Ed Landreph said young athletes who participate in regular league play at Pro Net Sports in Fishers made a point during the tournament to watch the action. “When they walk by, they’re just looking at it and saying, ‘It’s so cool.’” he said. “You can just hear them talking about how cool these kids are, but it’s no different than regular basketball. When I ask my own friends at work if they want to come watch us play, when they show up they can’t believe how physical it is, how everyone plays together. It’s really physical, especially the varsity team. They’re allowed to press and they hit each other hard. It’s no different than any other sport.” The RHI Racers participate in events throughout the year. The teams travel to Cartersville, Ga. in January for their next tournament. Follow the RHI Racers varsity team at facebook.com/rhiracers and the junior team at facebook.com/rhijrracers.

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VISION ZERO

01.13.26 • youarecurrent.com

Action plan adopted to eliminate Indy traffic fatalities

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com After more than a year of planning, studies, surveys and collaboration, the City of Indianapolis in December formally adopted the Vision Zero Action Plan — a guide for city leaders to reduce and eventually eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2035. The Indianapolis City-County Council approved the Vision Zero goal in 2024, kicking off the process that led to the newly adopted plan. That process included creation of the city’s 15-member Vision Zero Taskforce, comprising councilors, city department heads, school leaders and representatives from local nonprofit organizations. LeAndre Level, administrator of the Vision Zero program, gave an overview of the process in early December, before the task force voted unanimously in favor of the plan. He said work on the plan, drafted with help from consultants from Burgess & Niple, started with a list of strategies and recommendations that were shared with the public through an online survey. He said responses from that survey were incorporated into the final draft. One survey question asked whether respondents had been personally affected by a serious traffic-related injury, and Level said the majority said yes. According to data provided in the Vision Zero Action Plan, between 2019 and 2023, there was an average of one fatal or severe crash every five hours on Indianapolis roadways, leading to more than 450 deaths and 8,500 serious injuries. It’s not just Indianapolis — the study reported statewide data that shows in 2024, someone was killed or seriously injured on Indiana roadways every 93 minutes. “Overall, feedback from respondents highlights the strong desire for a more action-oriented approach, including tangible infrastructure changes and prioritized safety across design, enforcement and implementation,” Level said. Level noted that Vision Zero is a strategy, not a program. “Unlike a traditional program, which is typically housed within a single department tied to a single, specific budget line item (and) often limited to scope, Vision Zero is a shared responsibility amongst all the city agencies and task force members, and ought to be used as a policy framework to how we move forward,” he said. “This framework will allow us to make strategic and targeted investments.” The strategies aim to protect people walking, biking, driving and using public transit. Level noted that some work already has started, and mentioned Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department’s new trans-

Between 2019 and 2023, there was an average of one fatal or severe crash every five hours on Indianapolis roadways. (Photos courtesy of the City of Indianapolis)

parency website, impdtransparency.indy.gov, which provides traffic statistics in addition to information about crime. He also highlighted the Department of Public Works’ community partnerships that test and eventually implement improvements for pedestrian safety. For more about the DPW programs, visit indy. gov/activity/cpi. DPW also is converting one-way roads to two-way traffic — a strategy that reduces speeding — as well as upgrading pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. Maria Cantrell of Burgess & Niple told the task force that moving forward, the plan calls for “layering” strategies to improve safety while taking into account that people will make mistakes. “For instance, if someone … participates in consuming … alcohol or drugs and then continues to drive, maybe they aren’t the safest people, but hopefully we have streets that (are safe), set to safe speed limits and designed to those safe speed limits,” she said. “And if that still doesn’t prevent a crash, it re-

CAUSES OF FATAL/SERIOUS CRASHES IN INDIANAPOLIS According to Vision Zero Action Plan data, the biggest cause, by far, of fatal and serious crashes in Indianapolis is failure to yield right-of-way — accounting for more than double the next-leading cause, which is drivers running red lights or traffic signs. Other causes of fatal and serious crashes, in order, are unsafe lane changes, following too closely, “other,” driving too fast, running off the road, distracted driving, pedestrians and improper turning.

The red lines indicate high-injury roadways in Indianapolis.

duces the severity of the crash. And then you have post-crash care that can respond quickly to those scenes. All of these things lessen both the likelihood and the severity of the outcome of those instances.” While the city has always cared about safety, she said, the difference is a stronger focus on prevention — especially prevention of the worst kinds of accidents. Some examples of how that can be implemented include reduced speed limits, street designs that naturally slow traffic, targeted enforcement as much as the law allows and an education campaign to help change driving culture. The city also can explore how to improve response time for emergency responders following a serious crash through better resources, routes and training. City-County Councilor John Barth, who chairs the task force, said the action plan is an impressive guide to help the city achieve its goal of zero traffic deaths or serious injuries by the next decade. He noted that the task force will continue to meet in order to review the plan’s implementation and data showing its effectiveness. “This has been a long haul to get here, you guys, but we did it together,” Barth said. “This only matters if it turns into reality, right? And so, now we have to turn it into reality. I ask that everyone be patient. We’re going to keep working on this. It’s going to happen step-by-step, but we have a plan now and now it’s time to have the discipline to make sure it happens.” For more, visit indy.gov/topic/vision-zero. ON THE COVER: Improved traffic signals and pedestrian crossings are part of the overall Vision Zero plan to eventually eliminate serious vehicle accidents in Indianapolis. (Photo courtesy of the City of Indianapolis)


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01.13.26 • youarecurrent.com

BLUEPRINT FOR IMPROVEMENT: Commentary by Larry Greene Located in the Vintner’s subdivision of McCordsville, this pool bath addition was thoughtfully designed to blend seamlessly with the home’s existing exterior while adding a functional, elevated interior space for everyday use and entertaining.

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CURRENT IN NORTH INDY 01.13.26 • youarecurrent.com

Your source for local arts & entertainment and upcoming events • youarecurrent.com

Teresa Reynolds and the Slicktones set for Local Mix Music Series By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com Teresa Reynolds grew up surrounded by many musical influences. “My dad was always spinning his deep collection of jazz records, but MTV was also taking over the mainstream and exposing me to all kinds of genres and artists,” she said. “My eclectic taste definitely shows up in my music, which I describe as a blend of ‘90s pop R&B, with jazz, soul and disco.” Reynolds will bring her unique brand of music to The Tarkington in the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. Reynolds and the Slicktones, who are making their Allied Solutions Center debut, will participate in the Local Mix Music Series at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 22. “We play mostly in Indianapolis, so I think this is a great chance to play for some folks that maybe haven’t gotten to see us yet,” she said. “There’s something for everyone with the Slicktones, so Carmel audiences are in for a treat.” Reynolds formed the Slicktones in 2021. “We’re like a family at this point,” she said. “When I formed this group, I knew that Mina Keohane, my pianist, and Poncho Hedrick, my bassist, had to be part of it. I’d been fans and friends of theirs for a while, then we added Matthew Dupree on drums and vocals and Joshua Ginder on guitar, and I knew we had stumbled onto something really special. For our upcoming show at The Tarkington, we’ll have some special guests joining us, with Fred Miller on guitar, Melissa Gallant on harp, D’yshe Mansfield singing background vocals and Shannon Kaminski tap dancing.” The group has performed in venues such as The Mousetrap and Jazz Kitchen and played at festivals and parks concert series. An Indianapolis resident, Reynolds graduated from Broad Ripple High

Teresa Reynolds will perform in the Local Mix Music Series. (Photo courtesy of Ramon Jackson)

School in 1999. After graduating from Ball State University, she moved to New York City to pursue theater. “I had just gotten a degree in acting from BSU, so when I arrived in the city, I hit the ground running,” she said. “I was cast in a show, ‘Platanos and Collard Greens,’ which was featured in the New York Times and became the longest-running off-Broadway show starring a minority cast. Later, I wrote, produced and directed theater and sketch comedy, but then music fell into my lap.” During her 14 years in NYC, she performed regularly with David Ippolito, known as That Guitar Man, who played weekly concerts in Central Park. “The New York Times called him the most famous person you’ve never heard of,” Reynolds said. “He could be playing for a few hundred people to a 1,000. I started singing with him in

2009 and performed with him until I left.” Reynolds also traveled and sang backing vocals for Gloria Gaynor for four years starting in 2014. “Performing with Gloria Gaynor was incredible,” Reynolds said. “One of my first gigs with her was in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in front of 10,000 people, and I was pinching myself the whole time. Sharing the stage with her, Chaka Khan and Nile Rodgers on New Year’s Eve in Dubai was one of the greatest thrills of my life.” Reynolds returned to Indianapolis in 2018. “After being in Indianapolis for several years, I’ve finally gotten back into theater again with the Indianapolis Black Theatre Co. and just wrote a solo musical, ‘Facing It Face to Face with Dollface,’ which will be performed as part of the Black Solo Festival at the end of the month at the District Theatre in Indianapolis,” she said. Reynolds writes original songs for her band. Her brother, TJ Reynolds, helps with production. “The Slicktones take the live instrumentation, and we make it our own,” she said. “It’s a real team effort.” Reynolds started a small business, Teresa Reynolds Arts & Events, to help boost opportunities for other local artists. “The first big event I did was the For the Culture Fest in 2022,” she said. “It was a free daylong festival celebrating the diversity of music, arts and culture in Indy’s Black community. I’m always looking for chances to collaborate with and uplift the creators I’m surrounded by here in town. One project I’m currently working on is the development of the Crooked Creek Cultural Campus, a brand-new theater, arts and cultural space on the west side of Indianapolis.” Tickets for the concert are $10, or register for the free livestream at thecenterpresents.org.

‘THE MOUSETRAP’ “The Mousetrap” runs through Feb. 15 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards. com. FEINSTEIN’S CABARET “Dueling Pianos” presented by Brittany is set for 7:30 p.m. Jan. 17 at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com. ‘LET’S SING TAYLOR’ “Let’s Sing Taylor: An Unofficial Live Tribute Show” to Taylor Swift is set for 2 and 8 p.m. at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org. ‘CELTIC THRONE II’ “Celtic Throne II: Psalter of Ireland,” a fusion of Irish dance, is set for 7 p.m. Jan. 20-21 at The Tarkington at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For the thecenterpresents.org.

DISPATCHES  The Cat announces spring lineup — The Cat has announced its spring theatrical lineup, featuring three productions that showcase the variety of its programming — from youth musical theater to fast-paced comedy and a gripping classic mystery. The youth edition of “Bye Bye Birdie,” presented by The Drama Department, will be held Jan. 23–25. “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged),” hosted by The Cat, will be presented Feb. 6-7. Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None,” presented by the Carmel Apprentice Theater, is set for March 27–April 4. The Drama Department at The Cat also is registering students for its spring semester of classes. For more, visit thecat.biz.


ENTERTAINMENT

CURRENT IN NORTH INDY

01.13.26 • youarecurrent.com

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Actor returns to stage ew, who must take his uncle’s corpse on a trip to Monte Carlo to inherit $6 million. Like Norma Desmond, Sam Arce figArce, who goes by the nickname of ures he is ready for his close-up. Broadway Sam, has moved into behind“I’m having my ‘Sunset Boulevard’ the-scenes roles. return,” Arce said, referring to the “My love and passion for supporting movie about silent movie star Destheater got me involved with investing mond, who envisions making a and co-producing,” he said. triumphant return to the film “I’ve always wanted to come world. back. I love to perform.” After more than 40 years off A Realtor/broker with F.C. the stage, Arce is performing in Tucker, Arce said there is a lot Actors Theatre of Indiana’s proof physical comedy in the show. duction of the musical “Lucky “I’ve done a lot of theater Stiff” from Jan. 30 to Feb. 15 from the time I was young, and Arce at the Studio Theater at Allied over the years at Tucker, we did Solutions Center for the Performing a lot of skits,” said Arce, treasurer for Arts in Carmel. ATI’s board of directors. “This gives me “It’s been a while. The last time on a chance to do something fun. I love stage was when I was in college at Hofbeing part of the community and I love stra University, and then I did ‘Damn what we’re doing.” Yankees’ at (New York’s) Lincoln CenArce has invested in several shows on ter,” he said. “I was doing dinner theBroadway and London’s West End. ater back in the 1980s.” Following “Lucky Stiff,” ATI presents The 63-year-old Carmel resident plays the musical version of “Sunset Boulethe dead man in the show. There is a vard” from April 24 to May 10. recording played of Arce’s character, For more, visit atistag.org. Tony, giving instructions to his nephBy Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

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Actress takes on ‘Heathers’ challenge “I think what is both fun and challenging about being in the ensemble is that you truly get to create your own Courtney Krauter is a longtime fan of character,” McSweeney said. “In the “Heathers The Musical.” ensemble, you kind of get to create “When I heard Footlite was putting new shoes to step into rather than it on, I had to go audition,” said taking made and worn shoes Krauter, a Broad Ripple resident and stepping into those. The who grew up in Carmel. Young Republicanette has been Krauter plays Heather Duke fun to create because she is a in Footlite Musicals’ producfeatured ensemble member tion of “Heathers The Musical” who has a few personality traits Jan 16-25 at 1847 Alabama St., given to her, such as a tennis Indianapolis. playing, student-council type. Krauter “Genuinely, the best part has You see the tennis portion in been being part of the Heathers my costume and some of the and getting to play a character student-council type in how I that is so (different) from what carry myself on stage. With that I actually am,” Krauter said. information, I am able to create “This is my first time playing a the rest of my character with mean girl character. It’s been how she might react to things, fun to make her campy and interact with other students or silly at the same time. The othteachers. McSweeney er Heathers I get to work with “My sister had a theater prohave been fantastic. It’s been so fessor that always encouraged fun to get to work closely with her students to think of their them.” character development as you, Krauter, a 2017 Herron High plus — meaning, be yourself School graduate, is appearing while adding the traits of who in her first Footlite musical. The you are playing on stage. That is 2021 Indiana University gradusomething I try to take with me Rodriguez ate performed in an a cappella for each show. People who know group and sketch comedy group in me well will see the sparks of Kerrigan college. while also seeing moments where I’m “This is only my second show that the polar opposite of who I really am.” I’ve done since graduating,” said KraThis is the third Footlite producuter, who was in Civic Theatre’s protion for McSweeney, an Indianapolis duction of “Joseph and the Amazing resident. Technicolor Dreamcoat” last year. Kierre Rodriguez, a 2021 Fishers High Kerrigan McSweeney, a 2018 Fishers School graduate and Fishers resident, High School graduate, plays the role of also is in the ensemble as a Stoner Girl. Young Rebublicanette in the ensemble. By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com

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ACROSS 1. Heart of the matter 5. Fictional Swiss miss 10. Kind of PU prof. 14. Teen’s woe 15. Occupied

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35. Tiny criticism 36. Kind 37. Brad Moore’s title at Roche Diagnostics, briefly 39. Say “When I was with Larry Bird last week...,” say 40. Sun Valley locale 41. Teacher’s org. 46. Philanthropists 48. “___ of the Flies” 49. Diacritical mark 50. Less common 51. Amazon voice 52. Applauds 53. Summation 55. Biblical possessive 56. They’re all abuzz 57. Hunts for 59. Soon, to a bard 62. Butler email suffix 63. Put on WTHR ANSWERS ON PAGE 10

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